Yakult releases 6 out-of-competition players. Reito Taguchi wants to challenge the US professional league or other leagues
Quick Look
- The Yakult Swallows announced that they have listed 6 players as out of the game, including veteran left-hander Reito Taguchi who was selected for the Japanese national team.
- The 31-year-old Taguchi Rito said that as long as his body allows, he wants to continue playing baseball and has set his challenge goal to be the Major League.
- He will also consider minor leagues, Korean professional teams or other Japanese professional teams.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Reito Taguchi once played for the Yomiuri Giants and Yakult, accumulating 48 wins and 57 losses, 69 relay successes, 44 saves, and an average ERA of 3.31. He was selected to the All-Star Game twice and represented Japan in the World Baseball Top 12 and the AFC Champions League.
Reito Taguchi. (File photo, taken by reporter Lin Zhengkun)
[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Yakult Swallows announced yesterday that they would exclude 6 players, including veteran left-hander Reito Taguchi who was selected as the Japanese national team. According to the Japanese media "Sports Japan", Reito Taguchi wants to challenge the overseas stage, including the Major League Baseball, and will also look for minor leagues, Korean professional teams, and other Japanese professional teams.
The 31-year-old Reito Taguchi played 14 games this season, got 1 win, 1 pitch, ERA of 3.14, 19 hits in 14.1 innings, 11 strikeouts, 6 walks, 2 hits, a batting average of 0.306, and a WHIP of 1.74. Reito Taguchi is one of the contributors to Yakult's second consecutive victory in the Central League. In 2021, he helped the team win the "Japan First".
Please read on...
Taguchi Reito said in an interview yesterday, "As long as my body can still move, I want to continue playing baseball. In short, as long as there is a place for me to play, judging from my results in the past few years, I have no qualifications to negotiate contract conditions and the like."
"Sports Japan" pointed out that when Reito Taguchi changed his contract after the 2023 season, he expressed his desire to challenge the major leagues. Taguchi Reito may next show his strength by participating in the Puerto Rico Winter League and play in the Winter League for two consecutive years to hone his skills.
Regarding next year's new club, Taguchi Rito said, "As long as there is an opportunity for me to get on the pitcher's mound, I want to jump right in and challenge."
Reito Taguchi has been working hard in Japan for 13 years and has played for the Yomiuri Giants and Yakult. He has accumulated 48 wins and 57 losses, 69 successful relays, 44 successful rescues, an average ERA of 3.31, and was selected to the All-Star Game twice. In addition, Reito Taguchi is the national player of the Japanese team in the 2019 World Baseball Top 12 and the Japanese team in the 2017 and 2023 AFC Champions League.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Reito Taguchi will show his strength by participating in the Puerto Rico Winter League and strive to get invitations from the US Professional League or other foreign teams.
Likely · Within months
As long as Reito Taguchi is in good health, he will have the opportunity to continue pitching on the professional baseball stage.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will Reito Taguchi succeed in getting a contract with Major League Baseball or another foreign team?
- Exactly when and for which team did he play in the Puerto Rico Winter League?
- In addition to the American professional league and the Korean professional league, what other Japanese professional teams or leagues will he consider?
